Envionments
in Development |
Model
for a Full Service
Rapid Development/Product Development
NavCenter |
April
17, 2004 Note: This was written in 1999, five years have
passed from this
time and the comments that I have added below. It is interesting
to see how the ideas and design concepts illustrated here
have started to find their way into reality a half a decade
later from when this was written and more than a decade
from when they were first drawn.
see:
1990s Concepts |
| This
concept sketch was developed in 1995 as a Product
Development Center for Vanguard Corporation [link].
It was never built. It remains the scope-model that
outlines
those key components essential for effective Rapid
Prototyping and multidisciplinary team-based, “cradle-to-grave” Product
Development and Management. They are: Radiant Room
(large group process area - in this version called “ACE”)
with breakout work areas; several clusters of WorkPods
(on this sketch called “Power Teams”);
individual Knowledge Worker Pods and workstations;
a Multimedia Center for creation and playback of
interactive multimedia works); Kiosks; Workstations
and Pods for visitors; content-specific support team
areas; R&D and Production areas for bread-boarding,
model building and so forth . All
of this, of course, to be augmented with a full technology
backbone and infrastructure. |
|
| A
variety of client-owned and operated NavCenters
are now being developed based on this concept.
The Vanguard sketch, indicates a 20,000 square
foot environment. |
|
| As
is typical of MG Taylor/AI/KnOwhere Store and client
NavCenter environments and processes, the entire
environment can be reconfigured
as required, and, minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour,
day-to-day levels of flexibility are integrated
with the work-processes of each Center. These NavCenters
can be thought of as one way to construct the tool-kit
for the Big
E. Soon, there will be a network of NavCenters
sharing non-proprietary information and experiences.
A supra-learning organization. |
| April
17, 2004 Note: This number could reach 30 by mid
2005. |
| The
concept drawing below, while not directly related
to the Vanguard Floor Plan, indicates how such a
layout might look in three dimensions. This concept
drawing became the template of object options from
which we could design and manufacture various NavCenter
solutions. |
|
AI
NavCenter Armature system - 1999 |
| The
objective is to organize the total space into a variety
of zones and neighborhoods that accomplish the mix
of technology, space and size, openness and privacy, “feel” and
orientation appropriate for the actual work going
on. An armature holds it all together allowing great
local variety and difference. Each Neighborhood should
have a distinct sense and feel of its own. |
| Of
course, if space is to be fully exploited as a tool
to support knowledge work, vertical development
will have to be employed. This is for three reasons:
first, the appropriate proximity cannot be accomplished
on a single plane; Second, openness and privacy can
be better accomplished with the proper use of “open” vertical
spaces; Third, “prospect” and refuge” is
achieved on a much greater scale this way. Opportunities
are just opening up for this. |
| These
arrangements, then, can be reconfigured - in whole
and in part - as the work mix shifts. Most of this
reconfiguration can be done by the users themselves
with a few simple tools. The idea is that the environment
changes to fit the work. Today, humans have
to fit into the “boiler-plate” environment
- if this works or not. And, into environments not
designed
for knowledge
work and collaboration. The typical environments,
in use today, support only a few of the work processes
required by today’s reality - knowledge work
is compromised and knowledge workers are frustrated.
These environments are not “engines” of
knowledge-creation. They do not “facilitate
the creation, storing, retrieving, communication,
and recreation of information and knowledge.” They
do not adequately interact with other facilities. |
| All
this is rapidly changing. |
| This
piece will document the ongoing development of various
NavCenters which are an alternative to this dull
and ineffective status quo. |
| For
snap shots of the Borgess NavCenter install see 1 and 2.
For images of
its first multi-day event. |
|
Comments
Added April 2004 |
| Eight
projects came our way during the three year period
1999 through 2002; unfortunately, three
of these
were not
built.
Nevertheless,
we did get the main elements of the the 1999 template
realized. |
|
 |
CONTINIUM
HEALTH CARE:
A
NavCenter-Office environment overlooking the
Hudson River in NYC. This was our first project
that combined these two functions which worked
seamlessly together.
|
|
 |
HERMAN
MILLER EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
I
was asked to suggest some modifications to a
project already underway. Nothing came of it
as far as I know. The space combined offices,
NavCenter and client hosting. |
|
 |
KENNEDTY
SPACE CENTER:
An
interesting challenge: what can be done with
two dull entries and a hallway into the offices
of the Cape? The solution: turn the space into
a medium of memory recalling the past, present
and future of space exploration. An exciting
concept - then, one day the dialog with NASA
stopped.
|
|
 |
NORTE
DAME:
This
is one that got away and it was very disappointing
at the time to see this concept passed over.
What was build, instead, is a conventional meeting-space
solution in
a basement
space
with
no provision
for natural light nor the broad variety of interactions
necessary for true learning and collaboration. Our
design called for Light Courts with landscaping,
an extensive Armature system and a sunken/raised
work-theater in-the-round placed at the center
of the space and augmented with extensive interactive
multimedia. This
would have been our first University NavCenter
and our first full expression of the Armature
system but is was not to be and Vanderbilt NavCenter
became
the
place where this happened.
|
|
 |
JOSEKI:
Offices
for a venture development and management company.
|
|
 |
VCBH:
Erected
in an unfinished space in 2002, this environment
will be redone and expanded in 2004. The Armature
and WorkFurniture will be removed, the space
redone and that all put back in place. |
|
| The
number and range of projects now under way, compared
to the last decade, has greatly expanded over the
last
two
years. Some of these projects are profiled below.
Each, no matter size and scope, illustrate some
unique aspect of the Taylor System. Taken together,
the work of the next decade can, perhaps, be seen
here in its nascent state. |
|
 |
SDC
CAMPUS:
Phase
I Move In completed 2003. Phase II to
start mid 2004.
|
|
 |
VA
- SALT LAKE CITY
Finished
February 2004.
|
|
[graphic
in progress] |
VA
- BREAKSVILLE
Under
consrtruction. |
|
 |
VA
- CINCINNATI # 1
About
to begin the Preliminary Design stage to establish
project feasibility and costs. there is strong
sentiment for the project. Building it, however,
will take about 30 months given approval protocols
and contract regulations. |
|
[graphic
in progress] |
VA
- CINCINNATI # 2
About
to begin the Design Development spage |
|
 |
VA
- CLEVELAND Wade Park
The
three pieces of property are about to be assembled. |
|
[graphic
in progress]
|
VA
- DAYTON
About
to begin the Design Development stage. |
|
 |
VCH
EXECUTIVE OFFICES
In
permitting phase. Construction completion scheduled
for end of July. This will be the most advanced
MG Taylor environment yet built. |
|
 |
MASTER’S
COLLABORATION STUDIO:
In
Design Development and about to start fast-track
construction process for May use. |
|
 |
MASTER’S
NAVCENTER
Second
Concept Plan in development. |
|
[graphic
in progress]
|
MASTER’S
CAMPUS
Campus
Planning phase to start in May DesignShop. |
|
 |
WORKCONSEVATORY
In
Preliminary Planning and costing phase. Two markets
are being explored prototyping and test marketing.
This is our first major home workspace design. |
|
[graphic
in progress] |
COLLUMBIA
LIBRARY
In
Programming and Schematic Design phase. |
|
 |
STEAD
OFFICE @ VBCH
Installation
completed April 2004 - In USE shake-down cruize. |
|
[graphic
in progress] |
UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL
In
Programming and Schematic Design phase. |
|
[graphic
in progress]
|
HAT
CREEK VISITOR CENTER
In
Programming and Schematic Design phase. |
|
| The
number of projects has doubled in a bout a third
of the time and the range of work is much broader.
With this work nearly the full range of the 190s
concepts and 1999 template will be realized in
some form. And, with VCH executive Offices, new
idioms are being created. It remains to be seen
what will result from the other projects, like
Master’s that are still nascent in their design
development. |
|
Matt
Taylor
Palo Alto
February
25, 1999
Elsewhere
April 17, 2004
SolutionBox
voice of this document:
BUILD • TACTICS • EVALUATE
|
|
posted
February 27, 1999
revised
April 17, 2004
•
19990227.876292.mt • 19991119.382654.mt •
• 20040417.376510.mt •
(note:
this document is about 65% finished)
Copyright© 1999,
2000, 2001, 20002, 2003, 2004 Matt Taylor
DesignShop,
NavCenter RadiantWall, WorkWall, RemotePresence, RemoteCollaboration,
CyberConn are Trademarks of iterations and
licensed to MG Taylor Corporation
Aspects
of the system and method described are Patent Pending
|
|
|
